BY PUBLIC RELATIONS | JUN 28, 2023
Dancers will form part of the entertainment package. (NCF)
Crop Over 2023 will officially turn up the heat with the Digicel Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and Vintage Calypso Tent at an exciting new location on Saturday, July 1.
The historic former sugar factory at Hayman’s, St Peter, off the Ronald Mapp Highway, has been chosen by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) for the festival’s grand launch.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley will officially open Crop Over 2023, while the evening will close out with the highly-anticipated Vintage Calypso Tent.
Chief Cultural Officer at the NCF, Andrea Wells, said the NCF is pulling out all the stops to produce a top-notch event.
“Saturday’s event is an exciting mix of colour, drama, music, culinary fare, craft, and culture, all taking place at a newly-refurbished location in the north of the island. It is an exciting time as we partner with Digicel to produce this event, which signals the official start of the Festival – the Digicel Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes & Vintage Calypso Tent.”
Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Barbados Limited, Natalie Abrahams, said as the new corporate sponsor, it was an absolute pleasure to support the festival, and the cultural development and expression on the island.
Mrs. Abrahams added: “Supporting national events, such as the official opening of Crop Over, holds a special place in our hearts, because it allows us to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the community that supports us, and the one we proudly call home. Barbados, with its rich cultural heritage and warm, welcoming spirit, has embraced Digicel as more than just a telecommunications company.”
Meanwhile, Festival Events Planner Karen Pestaina, who is also the co-producer of the event themed: Sugar Reimagined, said the NCF’s team has conceptualised a production that combines a range of Barbadian traditions, interpreted through various art forms, from culinary to the performing arts, all with sugar as the backdrop.
Patrons will be treated to various activities, including Sip & Paint, demonstrations by the Landship, spoken word performances, historical re-enactments, Chefs’ Corner, the Bajan Taste Buds featuring new twists on indigenous fare, and a grand Bajan Market. The finals of the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Games will also be staged at the event.
Apart from the display of the island’s diverse cultural offerings, there will be a packed spectacle that would see a colourful parade beginning from the factory’s drive way. There will be music, dance, and storytelling during the procession. Tuk bands, dancers, spectacular dray carts, and the Sons of God Apostolic Spiritual Baptist Church will perform the usual blessing of the last canes.
Ms. Pestaina noted: “Though shorter than last year’s route, it will be equally impactful. The dray carts will be very important to depict our Sugar Reimagined theme.”
One of the new features for this year’s event will be the Millennial Hub, a mini trade show of some of the island’s most talented and emerging entrepreneurs.
Young entertainers Stiffy, the reigning Scotiabank Junior Monarchs Yahandje and Tae, as well as Mighty Bit Bit, and the Haynesville Youth Group will take to the stage in the Millennial Hub.
The children’s play area will include a Masquerade Tent where they can view Sunshine Snacks Junior Kadooment band costumes along with their parents, and register for the band of their choice.
A big hit since its introduction last year, the 2023 version of the Vintage Calypso Tent will keep patrons jumping with the most popular Road March/Tune of the Crop hits up to 2003.
Road March legends will include cultural ambassadorsThe Most Honourable Stedson “Red Plastic Bag” Wiltshire; the Most Honourable Anthony The “Mighty Gabby” Carter; Edwin Yearwood;Lil Rick; Grynner; Serenader; Blood, and more.
Ms. Pestaina stated: “This is an event for everyone. It’s free and serves up everything you want to know about Barbados…. Hayman’s Sugar Factory is the place to be.”
